Bensel finishes second, Ballo fourth at Met Open

David Fierro

Published 6:27 pm, Thursday, August 21, 2014

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester, N.Y.won the 99th Met Open by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 7-under par 209 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 t Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester,...

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester, N.Y.won the 99th Met Open by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 7-under par 209 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 t Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester,...

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country Club, tied for fourth at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country...

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester, N.Y.won the 99th Met Open by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 7-under par 209 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 t Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester, N.Y.won the 99th Met Open by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 7-under par 209 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 t Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Winged Foot assistant professional Grant Sturgeon of Port Chester,...

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country Club, tied for fourth at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country...

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country Club, tied for fourth at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country...

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country Club, tied for fourth at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country...

Frank Bensel was the runner up at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

Frank Bensel was the runner up at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August...

Mike Ballo Jr., a Stamford native representing Woodway Country Club, tied for fourth at 99th Met Open on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Photo: Contributed Photo, Metrropolitan Golf Association/C

BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- The final round of the 99th Met Open Championship perfectly illustrated how quickly certain situations can change in golf. In the lead by four shots over Grant Sturgeon of Winged Foot Golf Club, Stamford native Mike Ballo Jr. was on his way to winning the Metropolitan Golf Association's most prestigious tournament.

Facing a deficit with 10 holes remaining, Sturgeon knew time was running out for him to make his move.

"Mike had the lead on me all day, so I knew I was going to have to make some birdies to get back into it and maybe catch him."

Sturgeon did that, and more.

The Port Chester, N.Y., resident birdied three consecutive holes on the back nine and rallied to win the MGA Met Open Championship, finishing with a three-round score of 7-under-par 209 at Trump National Golf Club's Open Course.

"It's such a helpless feeling to see that happen," Ballo said of his watching his advantage dwindle. "It's heartbreaking and devastating, but with that said, Grant played awesome. He came back with three birdies in a row and took advantage of the opportunities I gave him. What happened here today shows how hard it is to win a tournament. If you fall asleep for a few minutes, someone will take advantage."

Ballo, representing Woodway Country Club, and Sturgeon began Thursday's final round in a first-place tie at 6-under 138. But Ballo birdied the par-5 first hole, then parred No. 2 to go to 7-under. Sturgeon, meanwhile, parred No. 1, but double bogeyed the second hole, putting him at 4-under. Sinking birdie putts on the seventh and eighth holes, Ballo improved to 9-under, while Sturgeon was at 5-under-par. A double bogey by Ballo on the ninth hole, opened the door for Sturgeon, who parred No. 9 to move to within two strokes of the lead.

Following birdies on 14 and 15, Sturgeon took the lead for good by rolling in a birdie putt on the 16th hole. Meanwhile, Ballo's birdie putt on 16 rolled past the pin and he wound up with a bogey, putting him two shots behind Sturgeon.

"Sixteen was the icing on the cake for me," said Sturgeon, who has worked an assistant professional at Winged Foot. "That gave me the lead for the first time today and it gave me momentum."

Sturgeon, also the 2014 Westchester PGA champion, received a check for $27,500 and a hearty handshake from Donald Trump following his victory.

"The Met section is one of the best out there, so to win this prestigious tournament feels great," said Sturgeon, who shot a 1-under 71 Thursday. "I feel fortunate I was able to come back and win it."

After shooting a 5-under 67 Wednesday, Ballo posted a 75 Thursday.

"Looking at the big picture, I played well except for the last nine holes," said Ballo, a Trinity Catholic and St. John's graduate, who plays on the Web.com Tour. "The last three weeks I put myself into contention to win tournaments and have been in the lead. But what happened today -- that's how golf is."

With five birdies and 11 pars, Bensel shot a 3-under 69.

"I felt pretty good out there and played solid," Bensel said. "Coming in, I thought I had a chances for birdies on 15, 16 and 17, but they just didn't go in. Obviously, you can't be perfect out there, but overall, I scored pretty good."

Shih was the low amateur, while Cameron Young of Scarborough, N.Y., had the second lowest score for the amateur players, carding a 2-under 215. Brian Lamberti of Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury shot a 2-under 215 (71-71-73), while David Pastore of Greenwich and Bethel's Mike Gilmore (also from Winged Foot) each shot a 1-over 217. Brian Gaffney of Darien (Quaker Ridge Golf Club) shot a 2-over 218.

Pastore shot an even-par 72 the final two rounds.

"I got off to a better start today and was finally under par," said Pastore, who plans on turning professional in October. "Then the last four holes, where you can really score, I was 1-over. The last four holes, I missed putts, but I was making putts early in the round. It could have been worse for me, though I wasn't in contention, which is where I wanted to be."